This year’s Grandparents day is fast approaching! In Canada, the national holiday to honour grandparents is held on the first Sunday after Labour Day, which will land on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

Grandparents and those who take on such special roles in the family deserve to be cherished and celebrated. They are the connection to all future generations to share in the past and nurture a sense of history, heritage and identity. They are often able to pass on family traditions and life stories to grandchildren who will remember it fondly as adults. The bond between child and grandparent is universally heartwarming, and Grandparent’s Day is perfect for celebrating the special relationship that carries across generations.

Grandparents Day was originally proclaimed in the United States by then-president Jimmy Carter in 1978 and was officially recognized in Canada in 1995. In the United States, the National Grandparents Day Council designated the forget-me-not as its official flower. Much more recently, in 2004, the council announced that the official song of National Grandparents Day would be A Song for Grandma and Grandpa by Johnny Prill.

According to the Legacy Project, we celebrate Grandparents Day to:

To honour grandparents
Give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children
Help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer

National Grandparents Day Activities & Gift Ideas

If you have been fortunate enough to enjoy time with your own grandparents, you know that the memories you share are priceless. The desire to be present as a child grows encourages many grandparents to stay active and to protect their health. Anything that can encourage the bond is always wonderful.

Here are some ideas to help wish those in your family a happy grandparents day and make new memories together.

Interview Your Grandparents

Children are fascinated to find out what life was like when their grandparents were children themselves. Differences in technology are always of the most interest! Grandchildren love to interview and ask questions to their grandparents about their childhood and record it. There are a lot of pre-made interview questions available online that can help guide the interview process. Afterwards writing everything down together is something special to share and to look back on.

Send a Homemade Card

Sometimes grandparents may live far away and sending something in the mail could be a nice way to show they care. A card is a loving gift that can be personalized with artwork or a special note from the grandchild.

Sit Down For A Meal

Spending time together is a precious gift for all grandparents. Simply organizing quality time for a meal as a family would be a joy. A family outing for lunch, dinner or a BBQ featuring their favourite food would be a thoughtful way to show you care. Whether you choose a fancy restaurant, or as simple as a picnic in the park, your grandparents will love the time spent together.

Record the Family History

Making a formal family tree can be an amazing way to learn about previous generations within the family. Grandparents can offer such wisdom from experience. There is so much information that is lost over time that the more you can record, whether by writing it down or recording a video, it is amazing what stories and memories will be all the more special coming right from the source! You may learn so much along the way about yourself or your parents!

Start A Tradition

There are so many ways to start a new tradition in your family, why not on Grandparents day?! It could be to bake a certain family recipe or a new one. You could make a special craft such as tracing the hands of both grandparent and grandchild together. Go to a special activity together each year, like a bird sanctuary or butterfly garden. It will not only make memories but it is something to look forward to each year.

Thoughtful Services

Grandparents do many things for their grandchildren, let the kids use their imaginations, skills and talents to create something meaningful to give as a gift. A perfect example is a coupon booklet of things that the grandchildren can do for the grandparents like small chores around the house or activities.

Reach Out Virtually

As all grandparents do they love to hear about all the successes, milestones and updates about their grandchildren. Sometimes distance or mobility is an issue and they rely on information from the parents. Grandparents take an interest from the small to the big things! They want to know about that first word, first step and even their 10th homerun or latest art project. A simple Facetime or Skype call is a wonderful way to catch up and make a personal connection, especially if one or more of your grandparents are nursing home residents. We now have the ability to spend time together online and share in the joy of their favorite book, meal or activity, even if we are separated by great distances, so make sure you take the opportunity to reach out this Grandparents Day!

Staff Relief Supports Families

Staff Relief is a big supporter of families and encourages intergenerational activities. Seniors being involved with youthful activities helps to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

Family interaction is the best way to continue strong relationships and celebrate them not only on Grandparent’s day but all year long! We cherish the seniors in our lives and understand what your loved ones mean to you! If your family needs assistance in the form of home healthcare services, such as personal care services, homecare services, a live-in caregiver, or any other way, call 905-709-1767 or contact us online.